John Jones-The Black Laws/Black Codes

PRESENTED AS PART OF THE VERSE JOURNALISM PROJECT

April 16, 2012

Sheila Barabad

Poet Baba Tony Brown

Poet Baba Tony Brown of East Garfield Park loves writing. He got started in grammar school, and today, he’s a professional storyteller. Here he writes to educate people about the “Black Laws” that denied rights to African-Americans, and John Jones, the man who fought to repeal them. Jones was a Cook County commissioner and abolitionist whose home and business provided stops on the Underground Railroad.

Verse Journalism is a form of poetry inspired by the news. It was born here in Chicago when Gwendolyn Brooks coined the term. Another gifted local poet, Quraysh Ali Lansana, taught the form to participants in a Neighborhood Writing Alliance special workshop series. Lansana had NWA writers turn their opinions and reactions to news events into poems, which WBEZ will present throughout the month of April in celebration of National Poetry Month. This series was recorded in collaboration with the Neighborhood Writing Alliance, a station partner.

Click here to listen to other Verse Journalism recordings made as part of this project.

Editor's Note: The poem suggests Jones College Prep high school was named after John Jones. The correct school namesake is William Jones, who became the first president of the Board of Education in 1840.

Stay up-to-date with the latest news, stories and insider events.

Please enter a valid email addressOops, something went wrong!

You’ve signed up to receive emails. Please check your email for a welcome confirmation.